Family Times April 2019 by Family Times

APRIL 2019

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A LOOK AT

KIDS EXPO Drummers tap into a rich tradition

Is my teen ‘adulting’ yet? Get your child ready to be home alone The robots are coming!

2019 p. 8

Had a Stroke. Back on Stage.

Musician Todd Hobin KNOW THE SIGNS • CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY

Central New York music legend Todd Hobin knew nothing about stroke — but he does now. That’s why he’s raising awareness about stroke risk factors and its signs and symptoms.

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Fact: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Important to know: Stroke can happen to both men and women — at any age. Good news: Stroke is preventable by managing medical risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices. What to do: Time lost is brain lost. So it’s vital to know the signs of a stroke — F.A.S.T. Four words to live by: Call 911 and say, “Take me to Crouse.“ When it comes to stroke, every moment matters. As one of just 10 hospitals in New York State to have earned Comprehensive Stroke Center status, and with the region’s newest ER and hybrid ORs, Crouse offers the most advanced technology for rapid stroke diagnosis and treatment

Read Todd’s story and learn more: crouse.org/toddhobin.

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

TIME TO CALL 911

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FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

TOGETHER TIMES

BECAUSE I SAID SO

FEATURE

Kids Expo blasts onto the State Fairgrounds on April 27. Does making toast qualify as ‘adulting’?

Syracuse students beat their drums in afterschool programs.

CLUB OF THE MONTH

PSLA at Fowler High School’s One Falcon Robotics Club.

FEATURE Teach your children to be safe when they’re home alone.

PRACTICE

PARTY PLANNER

26-27 27 WATCH THE

28-33

AT KIDS EXPO!

MONSTER TRUCKS 4

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

CONTENTS

APRIL 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE

SUMMER ACTIVITY PLANNER LEARN KIDS EXPO EXHIBITORS GUIDE FAMILY FUN CALENDAR

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FROM THE

THE PARENTING GUIDE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

EDITOR

April is a month for this magazine to be loud and proud. On April 27, Family Times puts on its annual Kids Expo at the State Fairgrounds. The event—filled with the sounds of dogs, drums, monster trucks and more—is really entertaining, if we do say so ourselves. Read all about it on page 8. In this issue, we’re also happy to shine a light on programs of the Syracuse City School District. First, there are the afterschool drumming groups, which Tammy DiDomenico writes about in the cover story on page 14.

And then there’s the robotics club at the Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School (page 20). It’s Family Times’ third Club (and Class) of the Month feature. We are always looking for different ways to tell the stories of the young people and parents of Central New York. If you know of a potential class or club for us to write about, email the details to me: rsullivan@familytimescny.com. And there’s more: Christy Perry Tuohey describes how parents can prepare their kids to be home—safely—alone on page 24. And Neil Davis, father of a 17-year-old, asks himself when and how “adulting” happens, on page 12. Enjoy!

APRIL 2019 | ISSUE NO. 204

GENIUSES AT WORK PUBLISHER/OWNER Bill Brod EDITOR IN CHIEF Reid Sullivan RSullivan@familytimescny.com MANAGING EDITOR Bill DeLapp PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Michael Davis CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Tom Tartaro (ext. 134) CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robin Barnes GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Greg Minix Rachel Barry Karley Harmon STAFF WRITER Kira Maddox CONTRIBUTORS Deborah Cavanagh, Neil Davis Jr., Tammy DiDomenico, Aaron Gifford, Eileen Gilligan, Molly Morgan, Tami Scott, Maggie Lamond Simone, Laura Livingston Snyder, Christy Perry Tuohey, Chris Xaver SALES MANAGER Tim Hudson (ext. 114)

REID SULLIVAN EDITOR IN CHIEF

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Lesli Mitchell (ext. 140) LMitchell@syracusenewtimes.com Anne DeSantis (ext. 111) ADesantis@syracusenewtimes.com Robert Auchman (ext. 146) RAuchman@syracusenewtimes.com

ON THE COVER

Zyhiem Johnson (top) and Dylan Laubach play drums in a program at a Syracuse’s Roberts Pre-K-8 School.

INSIDE PHOTO

Zyhiem and Dylan were photographed in their classroom by Michael Davis, for the story on page 14. Graphic designer Rachel Barry used Photoshop to remove the classroom and substitute a blue background for the cover. Advertising deadline for April is March 16. Calendar deadline for April is March 3. Advertising deadline for May is April 11. Calendar deadline for May is April 5. Design by Rachel Barry Photos by Michael Davis

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR Megan McCarthy (ext. 115) MMcarthy@syracusenewtimes.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Deana Vigliotti (ext. 118) ADDRESS

1415 W. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 (315) 472-4669 fax (315) 422-1721 familytimescny.com

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The monster trucks that thrilled spectators at last year’s Kids Expo will be back. Drivers Jessica Braukmann and her brother Billy Braukmann will talk to fans before the show. Kids can get up close and even touch the two trucks—Shockwave and Be Aware— while they’re parked inside the Center of Progress. At about 1:30 p.m., the drivers will fire up the engines and take the trucks outdoors to demolish and hurdle a row of junk cars.

Animals are also a big part of Kids Expo. Sit Means Sit Dog Trainers are slated to give a demonstration. The K-9 Caring Angels Therapy Dogs will be meeting and greeting, and so will dogs from Paws of CNY. Exhibitors run the gamut of services and products for kids and families. Usborne Books will be for sale, and a representative of Onondaga County Public Library will be on hand to talk about the programming and materials offered by the branches.

TOGETHER TIMES

Among the activities kids can sample will be making art with Painting with a Twist and testing themselves on the Syracuse Ninja Barracks obstacle course. There will also be a bounce house for little kids. Visitors can learn more about schools (among them, North Syracuse Early Education Program); extracurricular activities (including the Longhouse Council Boy Scouts of America); summer programs (Springside Farms, the YMCA and many more); and intriguing destinations (such as the Museum of Intrigue). An abundance of giveaways will take place, and the first 600 families can put their souvenirs and fliers in a Nature’s Own swag bag.

—REID SULLIVAN

MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

The event, presented by Family Times, takes place on Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the State Fairgrounds’ Center of Progress. Admission is free.

But the monster trucks are only the final act of the entertainment. Kids Expo visitors will also get a chance to see a variety of performances, from dancers to singers to drummers, in two different locations, the Pathfinder Bank Music Stage and the Bugs Bee Gone Performance Platform.

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MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTOS

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Life Skills 101

When does a child learn to be a grownup? | BY NEIL DAVIS JR.

coworker of mine used to come to me seeking advice. She was 22, fresh out of college, and had apparently deemed me old enough to dispense wisdom. Each day, like a mountaintop guru, I awaited the next conundrum.

“I need help adulting,” she would complain. Then she would ask for guidance on anything from meal preparation to money budgeting. In other words, basic life skills. Most people would say adulthood begins shortly after someone graduates from high school. By age 18, a person is eligible to serve on a jury, drive at night, play the lottery, or get a SpongeBob SquarePants tattoo on their neck without parental consent. For some recent college graduates, the prospect of tackling grownup tasks can be daunting. While the rest of us manage to clean our stoves or get an oil change with little fanfare, unseasoned 20-somethings can apply a self-congratulatory awareness to all kinds of routine activities, especially if they are tackling them for the very first time. “Sent out my Christmas cards! #adulting,” one might tweet. Never mind that it is mid-January and most adults have long since packed their decorations away in the attic. “Adulting” is a somewhat recent coinage, so definitions vary. The term has been popularized by millennials, the generation often criticized for having a sense of entitlement. (I’m no expert, but I’m guessing that celebrating every load of laundry does little to erase that impression.) The concept of adulthood has prompted me to wonder how prepared my daughter, Sadie, is for life beyond adolescence. She is a junior in high school and will likely be college bound in 18 months. I recall my own experience leaving the nest. When I moved into my college dorm, I was just as naïve as any other teenager, figuring out my new independence as I went along. For the first time, I was solely responsible for waking, getting to class, balancing my schedule and, perhaps most importantly, remembering to wear flipflops in the shower. And, of course—first thing first— I needed to eat! Sure, by the time I graduated, I could prepare an entire Thanksgiving dinner for 12 in my illegal, two-quart slow cooker. But at first the prospect of having to feed myself three times a day came with some challenges. The on-campus cuisine consisted of a grab bag of convenience food, most of it falling several bricks short of completing the food pyramid. “Do you know how to cook anything?” I asked Sadie recently, remembering my own early struggles. “I can make toast,” she replied with pride. 12

BECAUSE I SAID SO

It wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. But I know that most dorm mini-fridges are stocked with little more than energy drinks, cheese slices, and a single apple of questionable origin. Yet, college students somehow get by. Any one of them will tell you that Grubhub delivers Taco Bell. Score one for technology! Managing to feed oneself is only one part of survival. There are a million other life lessons I’ve yet to teach. And I feel as though I’m running out of time. Every unshared project is a missed opportunity. In the last couple years, I have refinanced our house and installed a ceiling fan without once asking Sadie what she knows about the federal funds rate or electrical wiring codes. Although I wasn’t the most sophisticated high schooler, by the time I left for college I could balance a checkbook, unclog a drain, and sew on a button. Plus, I’m pretty sure my father taught me how to hang drywall at age 4. Sadie and I are both comfortable allowing that craft to skip a generation, but certain other skills become a matter of personal safety. “Do you know what to do if you get a flat tire?” I asked her. “Sure,” she said. “I Google ‘what to do if you get a flat tire.’” There it is again: technology. I keep forgetting that the next generation has grown up with every answer just a few taps away. Learning a new skill often comes out of necessity, and smartphones have removed much of that need. Maybe that’s the point. Younger folks today have more resources at their disposal, so perhaps we don’t need to coach them through every experience. If they want to laud themselves for keeping a houseplant alive for three months and call that being an adult, so be it. At least they are learning. My daughter is a brilliant, well-rounded student, and I am certain that someday her talents will evolve into real-world abilities. I would, however, like her to comprehend that true adulting is comprised of skills you can’t acquire from a YouTube video. (Hopefully, most of these have already rubbed off on her.) Real adulting means not just having responsibilities but being responsible. That means being punctual, courteous and tolerant. It means not reacting when a driver cuts you off in traffic, but standing up for the more meaningful things that you believe in. It means treating others and yourself with respect. It means learning how to communicate well, sometimes even in complete sentences. It means embracing diversity and having compassion. None of these skills are absolutely necessary for survival, but they will take you very far in life. #adulting Neil Davis works at Bristol-Myers Squibb and lives in Liverpool with his daughter, Sadie, age 17.

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FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

Student drummers tap into a rich cultural tradition | BY TAMMY DiDOMENICO PHOTOS BY MICHAEL DAVIS

Shauni Odom and Tierra Hunter (top row) and Dylan Laubach and Zyhiem Johnson (bottom row) participate in the percussion program at Roberts Pre-K-8 School in Syracuse.

Ky’Lee Gibson, Jamya Harris and Amiyah Williams play drums in the afterschool program.

ohn Heard has been a mainstay on the local music scene for more than 35 years, but his 14 years as a hand drum and percussion instructor with the Syracuse City School District have brought him a different kind of fulfillment than simply performing. “I was recently in my favorite local Wegmans and the cashier was a young lady who recognized me. She had been in one of my groups, years ago, at Salem Hyde Elementary School,” Heard recalled. “She is a student at Henninger (High School) now, and she told me that since she was in my group, she bought her own hand drum, and is still performing at her school. I guess you never know the impression that you are going to have on somebody.” Heard currently leads the percussion program at Roberts Pre-K-8 School in Syracuse. About 14 students in second through sixth grade work on learning about hand drumming during each session. They learn the basics of rhythm and performance, yes. But they also practice hand-eye coordination, body control and teamwork. Heard works with the schools through the district’s 21st Century Community Learning centers. Through state and local grants, organizations collaborate with the district to offer students before- and after-school programming to extend learning in science, technology, performing arts, leadership and mentoring, among other areas. Some of the community partners include the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, the Redhouse Arts Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, the Westcott Community Center, and Syracuse University. Percussion programs take place at Roberts, Delaware Primary, Ed

FEATURE

Smith Pre-K-8, Lincoln Middle, and Syracuse Latin schools, according to Karin Davenport, communication specialist for the Syracuse district. LeMoyne Elementary School is expected to resume its percussion program in the near future, and there are plans to start an ensemble at Dr. King Elementary by next fall. Heard believes connecting students with cultural enrichment and avenues for creative expression is crucial. “The arts are suffering in the school systems, period,” he says. “They are the first to go, then people complain when they’re gone.” The percussion program is a chance for participants to make cultural connections. More than 50 percent of Roberts School’s 725-plus student population is black. Heard says it is important for those students to understand the importance of the hand drum, or djembe, in African culture. “It is the oldest instrument on earth, really,” Heard explains. “There are links to basically every form of music. It’s nice to know that your culture started it.” Heard himself has played in everything from informal drum circles at Thornden Park to blues jams at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. The Roberts percussion program includes eight to 10 weeks of lessons each quarter. There are section leaders, and the group must be able to see those leaders as respected peers—regardless of their age. In addition to teaching students to play a variety of rhythms and styles, Heard encourages his students to experiment with improvisation, expressing their feelings in a rhythm. This exercise helps teach students that creativity can be a means of channeling emotions. “There is a lot going on with many of these students,” he says. FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

Alicia Wallace (pictured at Family Times’ 2018 Kids Expo) is a teacher in the city school district and a percussionist. John Heard, a working musician, teaches the afterschool percussion program at Roberts Pre-K-8 School.

“And there is a lot going on in the building. But you can see the progress in these students from week to week.”

While the group was primarily an African drum ensemble, Wallace made a point to expose the students to a variety of musical styles.

Vying for a leadership position in the group offers opportunities to work toward goals and build confidence. “They can show that they earned the respect of the others in the group,” Heard says.

“We played rock and roll, blues, everything. Not being boxed into one culture is major,” she says. “Music is for everybody. I don’t care what your culture is, there is rhythm.” ALICIA WALLACE

Heard likes to get the parents involved as much as possible. He offers workshops where parents can learn a little about the program and play some music with the kids. Heard plans to step away from his work in the city schools next year, but he is confident that the percussion program will continue to thrive. “The teachers and administrators love it,” he says. “It helps kids channel some of their energy, but it also helps them develop skills that they can use in their other classes. They develop a sense of pride.” Alicia Wallace, a fourth-grade special education teacher at Dr. King Elementary School and a percussionist herself, knows what that pride means to young students. Last spring, she was an instructor with the LeMoyne Elementary School Drum Ensemble, which performed at the Family Times Kids Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds. Wallace says the group worked hard to get performance-ready. “I pushed them hard, but we were a family,” she says. “Many of these students had never played music before. They had never performed before. Some would get frustrated and walk out during a practice. But they stuck to it. They really touched my heart.” 16

FEATURE

Wallace grew up in a musical family, and she has played percussion in her church for as a long as she can remember. “For me, being Creole, being African American, and growing up in Cicero, I had to find ways to connect with my culture,” she says. “Music was a big part of that.” Wallace, who plans to organize a program at Dr. King, says even working small doses of music into the school day can go a long way in making connections. In her classroom, students might hear anything from the latest top 40 hits to the Motown classics of the 1960s and 1970s. As a longtime educator for the Syracuse City School District, Wallace knows how important initiatives like the 21st Century Community Learning centers are. Wallace says the goal for these programs isn’t so much to inspire careers in music as it is about boosting self-esteem, inspiring creativity, encouraging teamwork, and building relationships with students. “Music and food: That’s what gets kids’ attention,” Wallace says with a laugh. Syracuse native John Bowens has been directing the drum line program at Ed Smith Pre-K-8 School for the past two years. There is a group for second and third graders, and another for fourth through sixth graders—each comprised of 15 to 20 students. Last continued on page 18

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continued from page 16 year, students from Ed Smith were invited to perform at the New York State Fair and the Landmark Theatre. The drum line ensemble introduces the students to the basics of marching band percussion. “The school is very committed to the program, and the kids are so talented,” Bowens says. “The thing about drum line is that it’s more active. It’s kind of a mix of music and play.” The groups practice four days a week—outdoors when possible. The kids get a kick out of catching the attention of passersby. The students love having the support of their school and their community. “We’re becoming something of an attraction,” Bowens says. “We were invited to the Westcott Cultural Fair last year. We’re scheduled to play at the Landmark Theatre on March 21. Once the kids do performances, they are ready to do more.” Bowens, a 2007 graduate of Corcoran High School and a percussionist who has played in several local bands, says he appreciates the opportunity to give something back to the Syracuse City School District community. Some of the students are already thinking about participating in marching band in high school. For him, it’s an opportunity to share his deep love of music with the next generation. “It feels so good,” Bowens says. “The kids always put a smile on my face. They absorb so much and it becomes something they love. They are so into it and it is a good discipline for them.” Like Wallace, Bowens likes to mix things up musically. “It’s like we are all on a journey together,” he says. “We do a lot of Spanish and island music. I show the students videos so that they can see what I’m talking about, and then they are ready to give it a try. I tell them that being in drum line isn’t just a hobby, it’s a job.” The Redhouse Arts Center is one of the newest of the Syracuse district’s community partners. Maxwell Smith started working with the percussion enrichment program at Delaware Primary School last fall. About 40 second graders—separated into two groups—currently participate. “We have a great school climate; the students eat dinner and spend an hour working on academics and an hour on enrichment activities.” Smith says that the group is not limited by musical boundaries. “The percussion sections at Delaware are being introduced to all styles, including bucket drumming”—as practiced in places like New Orleans—“tambourines, boom whackers, and African djembes. There is an all-school performance at the end of the program, where each section gets to present what they have learned. Parents and the greater community are also invited to those performances.” This is Smith’s fourth year as an enrichment instructor and teaching artist at Redhouse. He has previously worked with programs at Dr. King Elementary, Frazer Pre-K-8, and Danforth Middle School. “Students are not often given the opportunity to express themselves and learn in a nontraditional classroom setting, especially in urban districts where budget constraints are a reality,” he says. “These types of programs not only allow me to contribute to the betterment of the community, but also allow children to be relieved from the stresses of the traditional classroom. “When I was in elementary school, we had recess to be able to shake out our jitters and release energy. These kids don’t always have that,” he says. “When I was a child, I didn’t find my calling until I was exposed to the arts. If I can do that for just one student, I will feel successful.” Award-winning writer Tammy DiDomenico lives in DeWitt with her husband and two sons. 18

FEATURE

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Competitors at the VEX robotics championships at SRC Arena.

Club OF THE

Month

One Falcon Robotics Club PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AT FOWLER HIGH SCHOOL, SYRACUSE

My favorite task was getting to work with peers around my age that had the same interests as me. We had a very optimistic environment as well as some good conversations working with the robot. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; JAVON HARPER, GRADE 11

CLUB OF THE MONTH

Members of the robotics club who took part in the March 2 Northern New York State VEX High School and Middle School Championships (left to right): Morgan Mbuli, adviser Edward Levine, Iman Ali, Isaiah Brundige, Hector Ferrer-Menendez, Javon Harper, Kyla Mayberry, Madeline Braun and Reece Villani. (Club member Belal Hamad, who was unable to be at the robotics competition, is on FaceTime.) ALL PHOTOS BY MICHAEL DAVIS

Something I learned in robotics club was the programming language for the robot, which is a C-based programming language. — HECTOR FERRER-MENENDEZ, GRADE 11

echnology teacher Edward Levine didn’t know anything about robotics or drones when he took over as adviser of the robotics club at Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler High School. But, like his students, he’s learned a lot. “I have learned to emphasize the engineering design process for my competition teams,” he wrote in an email. “The technology keeps changing, but the structured problem solving and documentation approach works no matter what.” The One Falcon Robotics Club has about 15 members in grades nine through 12. They meet daily after school to work on their projects. Students participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics competitions including the CNY STEM drone challenge, the Syracuse City School District Cardboard Boat Race, and the state VEX middle and high school robotics competition (where the photos on these pages were taken). The club is called “One Falcon” to emphasize unity, even though members might be participating in different groups or competitions. “The students eat lunch together, stay after school together, and collaborate on fundraising together,” Levine says. FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

I really enjoy getting to build without blueprints. It forces me to get creative and think more critically about problems and solutions than I do on a daily basis. — KYLA MAYBERRY, GRADE 10

For robotics competitions, students had to design robots to perform specific tasks as efficiently as possible. “This year teams have completely rebuilt their robots several times,” Levine says. “Students in the club are constantly looking at their designs and deciding if a mechanism or part is worth trying to improve or if they need to dismantle it and go a different direction. Teams document their engineering design process in a notebook and also explain their work to judges at each competition.” “I have learned how important testing is” to the process, says club member Kyla Mayberry, a sophomore. “Before robotics I never had to pay attention to variables when I did things; they either worked or they didn’t. Now I focus on what worked, what went wrong, and what I had changed prior to the test.” Javon Harper, meanwhile, has discovered how to navigate the ins and outs of group dynamics. “Everyone has their ideas and inputs but don’t want to accept anyone else’s because they think theirs is better,” the high school junior says. “Times like that you need to either assert yourself and explain why your idea would work, or back off and take someone else’s advice.” 22

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CLUB OF THE MONTH

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Home Alone

Are your kids ready for more independence? | BY CHRISTY PERRY TUOHEY

t was a brief moment of freedom, one Hannah Kinne hopes to taste again soon.

One day, her father needed to pick up her mother at the airport. Hannah needed to have access to their house because she’d be arriving while he was gone. For the first time, the 13-year-old was allowed to have a house key to let herself in the front door.

“I felt trusted and stuff,” Hannah admitted. “I wish I had one full time.” Although neither Hannah nor her 11-year-old brother, Alec, regularly carry keys to the house, they are allowed, at their ages, to stay behind locked doors for short periods of time. “We have left them home alone, where I can lock them in, secure that they’re home and safe and not going to go anywhere and nobody can come in,” said their mother, Sarah Kinne. Most parents struggle with such questions: When is my child old enough or mature enough to be left alone? And for how long? Under what circumstances? For Rhonda Hawes, a single mother of 24

FEATURE

four, it depended on which of her children she was leaving. “I didn’t leave Carleigh home alone ever,” she said of her elder daughter, now an adult. “She was way too busy. I did leave Josh (her elder son, then 8 or 9) home alone while running to the store, about a mile away. I would designate where he needed to stay—couch, bathroom, no microwave—and that he had better be sitting there when I got home.” Alice Honig, a child development expert and professor emerita at Syracuse University’s Falk College, has identified factors parents and guardians ought to consider when deciding whether to allow a child or children to be left alone. Age is one consideration.

Age “Some people’s kids at 10 aren’t quite ready, and some people’s kids are extremely mature,” Honig said. “I was at a meeting once, and this little 5-year-old saw that his baby brother was crawling toward swinging doors in that facility. He ran to the doors, put his arms on both sides so that if his

When is my child old enough or mature enough to be left alone? And for how long? Under what circumstances?

little crawling brother got near them, he wouldn’t be hurt.” New York state does not have a law that stipulates at what age children may be allowed to be home alone. However, the New York Office of Children and Family Services suggests on its website that “some children are responsible, intelligent, and independent enough to be left alone at 12 or 13 years of age.” According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, only three states have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving

a child home alone: Illinois, 14 years old; Maryland, 8; and Oregon, 10. That’s a fairly large spread and provides evidence that you want to consider factors other than just age.

Temperament There are three major child temperaments, according to Honig. “Kind of shy, hesitant about new things, scared of change or peculiar situations like being left alone when you haven’t been before,” she said. “Then there are kids who take things easily. And then there are very excitable, trigger-y children who react with a lot of emotion to new things or different things. So you want to know your child’s temperament.” Rhonda Hawes considered her two older children’s temperaments, in part, to make decisions on which one would be best to babysit the younger ones while she was out. Her daughter was more patient than her son. “I always felt like it stressed him out to watch them,” she said. Honig recalled a situation in which a 2-year-old in a daycare where she was program director was left home alone with a 5-year-old sibling while their mother went out to a store. The next day, the 2-year-old had unusual scratches on her back. “I talked to the mother, quietly and calmly, and asked her never to leave a little one in charge of just a 2-year-old ever again, this was too young an age, and that I’d really appreciate it if this never happened again, and it didn’t,” she said.

Sibling relationships Eleven-year-old Alec Kinne says his favorite activity while his parents are away is

playing video games. When his older sister, Hannah, is in charge, though, she tries to make sure he does his work before he plays. “I’m like, ‘Alec you have to do your work, you have to do it’ because I want to be able to be trusted and to be able to stay at home.” Hannah and Alec’s relationship is fairly harmonious, according to them. “She asks me if I need help with anything, and I tell her I can help her,” Alec said. But what if your children do not have each other’s backs like these two do? “If you have two siblings who, when they grow up, might be great buddies, but right now one is jealous of the other or they do fight a lot or they wrestle a lot,” then leaving them by themselves at home is not a good idea, Honig said.

Safety awareness Age, maturity level, and sibling relationships may all be in place. However, if you have not gone over safety rules with your child, those other factors may not matter. One of Honig’s friends was asleep one morning when his 6-year-old grandson woke up and decided he was hungry for bacon. “He had opened the fridge, taken it out, put it in a pan and turned the heat way up,” she recalled. When the grandfather came downstairs, there were flames shooting up from the stove. “That child had never been talked to about safety issues with cooking.” Honig also recommends that parents teach their children what to say when they answer the phone. “Like not picking up the phone when somebody’s not home and saying ‘Oh, my mommy and daddy aren’t

here.’ That’s the last thing you want a kid to say.” Hannah and Alec have home-alone safety rules. “They’re not supposed to cook, they’re not supposed to shower,” Sarah said. “Initially, they weren’t supposed to eat while we weren’t there, anything that could cause an emergency.” There are additional factors to keep in mind as well.

Anxiety levels. Is your child fearful about being alone? “If your child is very, very anxious, this is not a good thing to do in today’s world,” Honig cautioned.

Parent and child trust.

Understand how much your child trusts that what you tell her is accurate. If you have set rules that are reasonable, easy to follow and well-explained, you have built trust. If you exaggerate danger levels or make threats about what will happen if she doesn’t follow the rules, you may be undermining her belief in your trustworthiness.

Curiosity and creativity levels. Your child may be a budding scientist who enjoys mixing household liquids, or has figured out how to unlock even the most secure door by coming up with a creative contraption. You’ll want to consider how likely such an experiment will happen while you’re away.

Christy Perry Tuohey is an author, journalist and freelance writer living in Syracuse.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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If you have questions concerning actual child neglect or the guidelines under which Child Protective Services and Social Services operate, you can find more information online on the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website. This is a link to its Frequently Asked Questions page:

ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/faqs.asp

FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

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Offering early childhood musicto andchildren, movement classes to Offering early childhood music and movement classes children, and the adults who love them. Classes located all over and the adults who love them. Classes located all over CNY. CNY. To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website To find the one nearest you, call or visit our website www.bluebirdmusictogether.com 427-6985 www.bluebirdmusictogether.com • (315)(315) 427-6985

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FRIDAY, MARCH 29 Tigris Shrine Circus. 7 p.m.; through March 31. The spectacle features high-wire acts, bears, camels, and clowns. Toyota Coliseum, State Fairgrounds, Geddes. $15. circus@ circussyracuse.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 Tigris Shrine Circus. 10 a.m., 2:30 & 7 p.m.; through March 31. See March 29 listing. Be the Scientist. Noon-4 p.m. Explore the activities of a botanist. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068. Beauty and the Beast. 12:30 p.m. In the Magic Circle Children’s Theatre presentation, children in the audience help teach the Beast kindness and good manners. Audience members are encouraged to dress up as a fairy tale character and become part of the royal court. Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St., Syracuse. $6. Reservations recommended: (315) 449-3823. Puzzle Swap & Social. 2-4 p.m. Visitors of all ages can bring used puzzles to swap for different ones. Refreshments will be served. Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. (315) 492-1727. oflibrary.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 CNY Science and Engineering Fair. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Students in fourth-12th grades conduct experiments and display their results. Projects available for viewing by the public after judging. SRC Arena, Onondaga Community College, 4585 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse. Free. (315) 425-9068. Tigris Shrine Circus. 1 & 5 p.m. See March 29 listing. 34

CALENDAR

Sunday Funday. 2-4 p.m.; Sundays, through April 14. All ages of visitors can explore the galleries, see art making, hear stories, and play games. Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St., Syracuse. $8/general admission; free/under 12. (315) 474-6064. everson.org.

experiences (ACEs) meet up in the classroom? A presentation of Syracuse City School District’s Parent University. PEACE Inc., 202 S. Beech St., Syracuse. Registration required: (315) 435-6275.

MONDAY, APRIL 1

Read, Sing, Play Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also April 10, 17 & 24. Children of all ages, accompanied by caregivers, can enjoy this storytime. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

Monday Funday. 4:30-5:30 p.m.; also April 15, 22 & 29. Children ages 5-12 can make a craft, something different each week. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Free. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. (315) 672-3661.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 First Steps. 9:30-10 a.m.; also April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Children who are good walkers, up to age 3, can with a caregiver take part in a program with music, movement, crafts and more. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. Read, Sing and Play Storytime. 10:30 a.m.; also April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Children ages 1 1/2-6 and their families or caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, fingerplays and songs. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Baby Storytime. 10:30-11 a.m.; also April 9, 16, 23 & 30. Babies, up to age 2, and caregivers can share rhymes, songs, stories and signs in this language-building program. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. Homeschool Hangout. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Homeschool families get together for games and crafts. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Northside Church, 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Bugs in a Bucket. 4:30 p.m. Children age 4 and up can learn about bugs from CNY Nature, with a chance to dig through a bucket of dirt and more. Central Library, KidsSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. ACEs in School. 5:30-7:30 p.m. What happens when students and staff with adverse childhood

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

Trading Card Game Day. 2:30-4:30 p.m. Game pros from TCGPlayer get kids ages 11-18 playing trading card games including Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Teen Anime Night. 6-8 p.m. Young people ages 13-18 can watch and discuss anime, and take part in activities such as drawing contests, trivia and other games. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032. Teen Anime Night in Liverpool. 6-8 p.m. Teens can come and talk about anime. Cosplay is okay, but library staff must approve. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Dunkin’ Donuts, 105 Second St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl. org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4 Trail School. 10 a.m.-noon. Children ages 5-15, accompanied by an adult, can look for salamanders, exploring away from the main trails. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $9/person. Register: www.baltimorewoods.org. (315) 673-1350. Syracuse Mets Opening Day. 2:05 p.m. The Triple-A New York Mets affiliate takes on the Pawtucket Red Sox in the first home game of the season. NBT Bank Stadium, 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse. $10-$15. syracusemets.com. Safe Place to Game. 3-4:30 p.m.; also April 11 & 18. Staffers from TCGplayer help participants learn and play trading card games and video games; for ages 12-18. Central Library, Community Room (Level 1), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

Teen Writer’s Guild. 4-5 p.m.; also April 11, 18 & 25. Students in grades 6-12 can take part in writing workshops, receive criticism, and brainstorm with others. All genres of creative writing are welcome. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. Registration required: fflib.org. (315) 637-6374.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5 Family Hike and Campfire. 7 p.m. A naturalist leads the group through the darkening forest, keeping watch for animals. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $2/person; $4/vehicle for admission. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Public Fishing. 9:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 13, 20 & 27. Families and individuals can come for a morning of fishing; bait, rods and reels provided. Volunteers are on site to help beginners. (Fishing license not required.) Carpenter’s Book Fish Hatchery, 1672 Route 321, Elbridge. $5/person. Preregistration and prepayment required: (315) 451-6249. Easter Eggstravaganza. 10 a.m.-noon. Children can enjoy an Easter egg hunt, interactive stations, a movie, a photo booth, and more. Community Wesleyan Church, 112 Downer St., Baldwinsville. Free. (315) 635-3501. www. communitywesleyanchurch.com. Seed Bombs. 10 a.m.-noon. Make seed bombs with clay, soil and seeds; and learn about pollination and native plants. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: (315) 699-2032. nopl.org. Saturday Story Morning. 10-11 a.m. Children ages 1 1/2-6 and caregivers can enjoy a storytime with rhymes, fingerplays and songs. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Toddlers’ Tango. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Toddlers and preschoolers can have fun in this music and movement class. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. Paws to Read. 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also April 13, 20 & 27. Kids can read to a friendly dog from Paws Inc. of CNY. Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Rice Creek Ramble. 11 a.m.; also April 13 & 27. People of all ages (kids under 17 must be accompanied by an adult) can go on an informative, family-friendly walk. Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road, 1 mile south of SUNY Oswego’s main campus, Oswego. Call to check trail conditions the morning of the hike: (315) 312-6677. oswego.edu/ricecreek. Ball Python Demonstration. Noon-12:30 p.m., Saturdays. Learn about Mystic, the museum’s ball python. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068. most.org. Poetry Bash. 2 p.m. Mickey “The Flying Busman” Mahan hosts an open mic poetry event. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Bird Houses. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can make their own bird house from recycled materials. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

MONDAY, APRIL 8 Breastfeeding Information. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn how to establish a successful breastfeeding relationship and how to overcome challenges that may arise. Presented by CNY Doula Connection. CNY Healing Arts, 195 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse. Free. Registration recommended: (315) 707-8097.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9 Homeschool STEAM Club. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Homeschoolers ages 5-11 can learn about science, technology, engineering, art and math through activities and experiments. Parents and siblings are welcome. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Northside Church, 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen MOPS. 5-7 p.m.; also April 23. Young mothers, ages 13-21, with children under 6 enjoy a faith-based program with fun, food and activities while their children are cared for by the childcare program. Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 569-2542. Easter Craft Drop-In. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Make some Easter crafts. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 699-2032. nopl.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 Homeschool Gathering. 1-2:30 p.m. Families with children of all ages can play games, make crafts and more. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus. Free. (315) 672-3661. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. Osmo iPads. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Young people ages 11-18 can learn to code, using a maker kit program. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Prenatal Story Hour. 5:30-6:30 p.m.; also April 17 & 24. Monica Dilone, a licensed medical social worker, discusses how reading to your baby in utero can help develop their brain. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Hope Cafe, 305 Vine St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

Teen Tabletop Games. 6-8 p.m. Teens can hang out to play board games and eat snacks. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Pizza Villa, 409 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 4570310. lpl.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 11 Let’s Pretend. 1 p.m. Children ages 3-5 learn about an animal that lives at Beaver Lake by acting out how the animal behaves. This session focuses on the beaver. Each program includes a craft and outdoor activities. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $5/child; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

Teen Writing and Drawing Group. 3:30-5 p.m. Teens can explore writing, drawing, and a variety of other creative pursuits. Snacks provided. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Teen Open Mic. 6:30-8 p.m. Teens get five minutes on stage to give a poetry reading, sing, dance, or give another performance. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. (315) 699-2032.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12 Anji Playdate. 10 a.m.-noon; also April 19 & 26. Children age 2 and up can take part in playcentered, child-led activities, followed by the creation of picture or story that describes that day’s play. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: (315) 6992032. nopl.org. Sew a Sunglasses Case. 2:30-3:30 p.m. Students in kindergarten through grade 6 can learn basic sewing techniques. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. Teen Open Art Space. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Use provided art supplies to make something, or bring a project from home to work on. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. Free. (315) 676-7484. Star Party. 7-9:30 p.m. Participants of all ages can have a chance to see the firstquarter moon and spring skies through a telescope. (Backup date: April 13.) Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. $9/person. Register: www.baltimorewoods.org. (315) 673-1350.

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 Good Samaritan 5K & 10K Run/Walk. 9:30 a.m. Event begins with a kids’ sprint, followed by a 5K and 10K. Music and other entertainment, after the run/walks. A benefit for Christian Health Service of Syracuse, a local medical mission. Long Branch Park, Longbranch Road, Liverpool. $25-$30/adults; $10/ages 5-12. goodsamaritanrun.org. Ferdinand the Bull. 10:30 a.m. Kids and parents can enjoy a Symphoria performance of Bizet’s Carmen along with Munro Leaf’s narrative story of Ferdinand the bull. The orchestra’s Instrument Discovery Zone opens at 10 a.m., before all Kids’ series performances. Costumes are encouraged for this concert. Inspiration Hall, 709 James St., Syracuse. $15/adults; $10/senior citizens; free/under 18. (315) 299-5598. ExperienceSymphoria.org. Paws and Books. 10:30 a.m.; also April 27. Children ages 5-12 can read a story to Cooper, a dog certified as a Canine Good Citizen. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Peter Cottontail Storytime & Party. 10:3011:15 a.m. Enjoy a themed event, including crafts and a chance to get pictures taken with FAMILY TIMES APRIL 2019

Peter Cottontail. Fayetteville Free Library, 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville. Free. (315) 637-6374. ffl.org. Southeast Asian New Year’s Celebration. 11:30 a.m. Adults and children can celebrate the New Year in the traditions of Laos, Bhutan, Cambodia and Thailand, with food, music and activities. White Branch Library, 763 Butternut St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3519. Recycling Challenge. 2 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can learn about recycling and upcycle items into crafts. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Science Saturday. 2 p.m. Children can find out what a watershed is and how water from our homes affects nature. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

MONDAY, APRIL 15 Earth Day Crafts. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Children of all ages can make crafts in honor of Mother Earth. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. Spring Adventure Week. 10 a.m.; daily, through April 19. Featured creature talk (10 a.m.); exploring with a naturalist (10:30 a.m.); featured creature talk (1 p.m.; daily through April 18); exploring with a naturalist (1:30 p.m.; daily through April 18). Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519. Recycled Planters. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can make a planter from recycled containers and paint them, then plant seeds. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

Simple Machines. 2:30 p.m. Kids age 5 and up can test catapults, inclined planes and other simple machines. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17 Egg Decorating. 2:30 p.m. Young people ages 5-19 can dye hard-boiled eggs with Kool-Aid. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Create Your Own Computer Game. 2:304 p.m. Students in grades 6-12 can make a computer game using Scratch. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www. salinalibrary.org. Airplane Build. 2:30 p.m. Children age 5 and up can build an airplane with a kit. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. Table Top Games. 2:30 p.m. Play different board games with friends. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Messy Art for Teens. 6-7 p.m. Different supplies are provided each month for teens to make art with. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 458-6184. Teen Video Game Night. 6-8 p.m. Teens can play games in the Dunkin’ Donuts community room. Snacks will be served. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Dunkin’ Donuts, 105 Second St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18 Pirates, Ahoy. 2:30 p.m. Students in grades 6-12 can race against time to uncover hidden treasure in this scavenger hunt. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org.

Homeschooling 101 for Parents. 7-8:30 p.m. At this session, homeschooling parents discuss ideas for incorporating a child’s interests into the learning process. Presented by Liverpool Public Library. Baldwinsville Public, 33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Teen Game Day. 6-7 p.m. Teens can play life-size games including Jenga, playing cards and checkers. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. (315) 699-2032. nopl.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16 Hooked on Books: Dav Pilkey. 2-3 p.m. Discuss favorite books by the Captain Underpants series author and take part in activities. (The event will head indoors if the weather is bad.) Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool. Free. (315) 457-0310. lpl.org. Movie Makers. 2:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-12 can make a short film with a stop-motion animation kit. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Fairy Houses & Crafts. 2:30-4 p.m. Children from preschoolers to fourth-graders can make special places for fairies. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. 36

CALENDAR

Sun Catchers. 2:30 p.m. Children ages 5-12 can make sun catchers. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326. Robot Programming. 2:30 p.m. Those age 5 and up can test their programming skills with Dash and Dot. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. Table Top Game Day. 3:30-5 p.m. Young people can play board games, including Monopoly, Scrabble and more. Petit Branch Library, 105 Victoria Place, Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-3636. Spring Constellations and Planet Observation. 7:30-10 p.m. A member of CNY Observers gives an outdoor lecture on the spring constellations and how to remember their positions. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19 PASSOVER BEGINS

Marble Run. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids of all ages can work together to create a fantastic marble run. Central Library, KidSpace (Level 2), 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. The World of Eric Carle. 10:30 a.m. Children ages 3-7 can learn to make art like Eric Carle in books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www. salinalibrary.org. Game On. 2:30 p.m. Kids, teens and families can play board games, card games and Xbox One games. For ages 5-19. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20 Super-Natural Egg-Stravaganza. 10 a.m. Children up to age 10 will search for eggs colored like those of wild birds. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/child; $4/vehicle. Registration required: (315) 638-2519. Animal Egg-Stravaganza. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Different animals will receive eggs and eggshaped enrichment items throughout the day. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. Zoo admission: $8/adults; $5/age 62 & up; $4/ages 3-18; free/age 2 and younger. (315) 435-8511. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Rice Creek Story Hour. 11 a.m. Elementaryage children ages (kids must be accompanied by a caregiver) can hear tales of nature and animals’ wild ways. Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road, 1 mile south of SUNY Oswego’s main campus, Oswego. (315) 312-6677. oswego.edu/ricecreek. Family Dance. 6:30-7:30 p.m. People of all ages can take part in fun and simple dances to live music. United Church of Fayetteville, 310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville. $2/adults; $1/teens & kids. syracusecountrydancers. org/community-dance/.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21 EASTER

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

MONDAY, APRIL 22

Earth Day Celebration. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Various activities: bird walk (8 a.m.); crafts (10 a.m.noon); guided walk (2 p.m.). Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 E. Mud Lake Road, Baldwinsville. $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519. Earth Day Celebration. 1-4 p.m. This fun, educational event will feature crafts, guided nature walks, live animal shows, and a performance of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. Free. (315) 673-1350. baltimorewoods.org.

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Art Making for Teens. 6-7 p.m. An Everson Museum of Art educator guides hands-on art activities. NOPL Cicero, 8686 Knowledge Lane, Cicero. Free. Registration required: nopl.org. (315) 699-2032.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 Onondaga Community College Q&A. 2-4 p.m. An OCC representative answers questions about applying to college, financial aid, and other topics. Central Library, Level 1, 447 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1900. Jelly Bean Engineers. 2:30 p.m. Young people ages 10-18 can make structures with jelly beans, Peeps and toothpicks. Betts Branch Library, 4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-1940. Safe Place to Game. 4-6 p.m. Young people ages 7-18 can learn and play trading card games: Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. Maxwell Memorial Library, 14 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Free. maxwellmemoriallibrary.org. (315) 672-3661.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 27 STATE FAIRGROUNDS

THURSDAY, APRIL 25 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 Time for Tots Playgroup. 9:30-10:45 a.m. Education playgroup for children ages 18 months-5 years and their caregiver. Stories, songs, arts and crafts, and more. Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 8131 Soule Road, Liverpool. $3/family. Registration recommended: (315) 6222843. NYCrossofChrist.org/Tots. Kids Minecraft. 3:30-4:30 p.m. Kids in grades 3-5 can hang out and play on the library’s server. Salina Free Library, 100 Belmont St., Mattydale. Free. Registration required: (315) 454-4524. www.salinalibrary.org. Graphic Novel and Comic Book Club. 4 p.m. Young people ages 12-18 can read Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona for this session, and discuss other comics and graphic novels. Hazard Branch Library, 1620 W. Genesee St., Syracuse. Free. (315) 435-5326.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

Kids Expo. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Families can see performances, take part in activities, and shop for products and services for kids. Monster trucks will perform stunts as well! State Fairgrounds, Geddes. Free. (315) 472-4669. familytimescny.com. 38

CALENDAR

Teen Easter Egg Hunt. 10 a.m.-noon. Young people ages 13-19 take an hour to find as many eggs as they can, then get a chance to decorate them. NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane, North Syracuse. Free. Registration required: (315) 699-2032. nopl.org. Party for the Planet. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Celebrate Earth Day and learn about the zoo’s efforts to sustain biodiversity. Learn about endangered species represented at the zoo and visit activity stations. Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse. $8/person, plus zoo admission: $8/adults; $5/age 62 & up; $4/ ages 3-18; free/age 2 and younger. (315) 4358511. rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Be the Scientist. Noon-4 p.m. Explore the activities of an environmental scientist. Museum of Science and Technology (MOST), 500 S. Franklin St., Armory Square, Syracuse. Museum admission: $12/adults; $10/seniors and ages 2-11. (315) 425-9068.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

ONGOING EVENTS Weekend Walks With a Naturalist. Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Nature discovery hike with different topics each weekend. Beaver Lake Nature Center, Route 370, Baldwinsville. Admission: $4/vehicle. (315) 638-2519. Great Swamp Conservancy Nature Trails. Daily, dawn to dusk. Throughout the year, visitors can grab their walking shoes and explore 4.5 miles of well-groomed, flat trails. Trails feature a 900-foot boardwalk, osprey nesting platform, and wetland and grassland restoration areas. The area is a stop for many migratory waterfowl and songbirds; other wildlife include muskrats and beavers. Great Swamp Conservancy, 3.5 miles off I-90, Exit 34, 8375 N. Main St., Canastota. Free. (315) 697-2950. Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Hiking trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk. Interpretive Center open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sundays. Snowshoe rental: $5/day. 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus. (315) 673-1350.

Step Up 4 Kids. 8-11 a.m. A Kids Fun Run (9:30 a.m.), 5K (10 a.m.) and children’s activities help raise money for the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Race-day registration is 8-9 a.m. Sawmill Creek Shelter, Willow Bay, Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool. Day-of registration: $35/5K; $15/Kids Fun Run. www. mcmahonryan.org.

Wegmans Playground. Boundless Playground for children (and parents) of all ages and abilities includes accessible swings, slides, bridge and more, including special section just for the tiniest tykes. Onondaga Lake Park, Route 370, Liverpool. Free. (315) 451-PARK.

MONDAY, APRIL 29

Northeast Community Center Library Storytimes. Preschool storytimes with rhymes and occasional games; youngsters learn group listening and participation skills. Call for times. Northeast Community Center Library, 716 Hawley Ave., Syracuse. Free. (315) 472-6343, Ext. 208.

SEE ONGOING EVENTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 30 SEE ONGOING EVENTS

NOPL Brewerton Storytimes. Birth-24 months: Mondays, 9:30-10 a.m. Age 2 and up: Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. NOPL Brewerton, 5440 Bennett St., Brewerton. (315) 676-7484.

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